Cam Inman

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Same Giorgio Tavecchio who played at Cal? Does Garrett Celek have a brother who plays for the Eagles?

Cam Inman

Yes, yes.

Lance Newberry

Despite talk to the contrary, I think the 49ers WR group is relatively weak.

Again.

Crabtree is skilled but we don’t know anything about what he will actually bring, plus he’s not big or fast enough to be a true game-breaker, Manningham is a solid player but was out-classed and was a distant third to the two true star receivers on the Giants – he’s good but nothing special – and Moss is 35 and almost two years out of the league. I think he’ll probably help in the red zone, but he’s not going to be the guy he used to be. Who knows what the rookie will bring, and please do not talk about Ted Ginn as a WR. Overall it’s a group that could be solid, and that good defenses will also be able to control.

That, along with a line that can be good but has not proven to be better than that and with a big ? at right guard, a running game that is not only directly connected to the quality of that line but will also feature a RB who is aging and won’t be an every-game star, and a QB who is solid but isn’t good enough to consistently make chicken salad out of…. something else, once again the team will go into the season with their TEs being the only star quality group on the offense.

No group on the offense is bad, and the WRs now are CERTAINLY better than the tripe that was lining up against the Giants last January, but when the TEs are your best offensive players things are going to be a struggle. I’m thinking there are going to be a lot of punts and a lot of field goals from this group again this season.

And that’s not a bad thing, they proved as many other teams have that with a good defense and a minimum of mistakes a team can win a lot of games that way, but I think there’s maybe too much early hype about a “strongly improved” WR group and offense in general.

Better than last year? I hope so, but that hope is going to have to be based on the quality of the coaching staff as much as the players. It will be on Roman, Harbaugh and the other offensive coaches to be a step ahead this year and help their group of good but not great offensive players succeed enough to win.

I’m looking forward to it, but I think it’s going to be a grind.

GO NINERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://mercurynews.com James

Niners have two specific areas in need of improvement. Third down conversion and red zone. Teams knew Niners couldn’t pass on third down, and they stacked the box and stuffed the run. This year they’ll have Moss to stretch the field and open up the running lanes, and Manningham as the possession receiver.
Last year time and time again Gore could not punch through in the red zone. This year Jacobs will provide some punch through power in the red zone, and Moss can provide the big red zone target.
They can remain a run-dominant team and use the run to set up the pass.
They don’t have to open up the passing game and engage in shoot-outs.
Just let the defense and special team beat the opponents with turn-overs and field positions.